Hen Wonders: How old do Hens have to be to lay Eggs?

[Chicks & Chickens]

Okay, already 18 weeks old now. Any chances?

 

[bobbieschicks]

There's always a chance Do you have a current picture of her? If so - you can post it and we can help you decide how close she is to laying.

 

[Chicks & Chickens]

Actually, I only have a picture of her when she was 16 weeks old because I don't have her anymore... I'll show you THAT picture, but I doubt that will show how she is looking today. (She's the middle one!!!)

 

[bobbieschicks]

Are you sure she is a she? At 16 weeks none of my various pullets had large red combs and wattles like that. And at 16 weeks old that's how my Lavender Orpington rooster looks - he just started crowing the other day. It's hard to tell from such a far away photo, but the tail feathers look droppy and hackle feathers seem pointy.

But if she is definitely a she, and with that large a comb and red wattles at 16 weeks - she should be laying by now at 18 weeks old. So any day now would be my guess. However - depending on how much sunlight you are getting where she is - it may take longer for her to start.

Hope you get your answer soon

 

[Chemguy]

All of my BO and BR, except one, had their red combs at 16 weeks, some had wattles. They started laying at 24 weeks. If it makes a difference, day 1 =July 18, 16 weeks = Nov 18, First egg = Jan 03.

 

[Chicks & Chickens]

The new owner said that she would be surprised if she was a Hen by now... I still thought it was possible, but I guess, judging by those comments, that it could be a rooster. Thanks for the advice There is a lot of sun, actually.

 

[bobbieschicks]

The new owner said that she would be surprised if she was a Hen by now... I still thought it was possible, but I guess, judging by those comments, that it could be a rooster. Thanks for the advice There is a lot of sun, actually.

Hey, I wouldn't give up on her just yet - 18 weeks is still pretty young to lay. If he/she hasn't laid by 22 or 24 weeks - then I would be alot more suspicious she was a he - but another thread had a White Leghorn that was 33 weeks old when she laid her 1st egg - so anything is possible. Their combs can be big and almost red for a very very very long time before they actually finally lay. I know - I have an Ancona that is 26 weeks old and she is definitely a she - but she hasn't laid yet. Her comb is huge and floppy, but not red enough yet to show she's ready to lay.

So hang in there! As long as she/he hasn't crowed - there's still a chance for some eggs

 

[Chicks & Chickens]

Okay, thanks! But since anything is possible, would it be possible for my crowing chicken to lay? It started out extremely quiet and acted like a hen. It was visible that it had a "female" kind of body because its body looked like the female and the rooster's was completely different.

 

[Buffalo Chopper]

I have some good news!!! My 15 week and 2 days old white leghorns have already started laying!!! what a surprise it was to see those beautiful white gold nuggets in the nest box. now i'm getting anxious for the rest of my girls to start. i also have 3 barred plymouth rocks ones a rooster, 2 rhode island reds which are super friendly and follow me around everywhere i go, 2 americanas and 1 buff orpington.

 

[ANNAWESOME]

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